Are Humans Free?

[xcvcx]

I have an essay that needs to be written on are humans free or are our lives determined for us? We need to use 3 of these units in the essay along with a few philosophers. (Logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and social/political philosophy) to support our arguments. I'm thinking of going for "humans are free" but there is so much information I have no idea where to start. I spent an hour reading topics and posts but I don't know what to use. We can't use our own opinions unless we have a philosopher to back us up or we have some information from the units.

Would anyone be able to direct me towards some information related to say ethics and free will? Maybe 3 arguments that could be used because I am at a complete loss here.


Thanks in advance

John

[William]

Originally Posted by xcvcx

I have an essay that needs to be written on are humans free or are our lives determined for us? We need to use 3 of these units in the essay along with a few philosophers. (Logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and social/political philosophy) to support our arguments. I'm thinking of going for "humans are free" but there is so much information I have no idea where to start. I spent an hour reading topics and posts but I don't know what to use. We can't use our own opinions unless we have a philosopher to back us up or we have some information from the units.

Would anyone be able to direct me towards some information related to say ethics and free will? Maybe 3 arguments that could be used because I am at a complete loss here.


Thanks in advance

John

Hello John and welcome. IMO, no human will be free as long as he has to reach in his pocket to pay for that freedom.

William

PS: Give that some thought, that should give you a little to think about.

[xcvcx]

I read a few posts and noticed some don't help if its related to homework.... I'm not asking for answers but for a direction towards some information and a few arguments that I could research and expand on. Thanks for the response haha

[William]

Originally Posted by xcvcx

I read a few posts and noticed some don't help if its related to homework.... I'm not asking for answers but for a direction towards some information and a few arguments that I could research and expand on. Thanks for the response haha

If someone has to pay for the right to exist on this planet, they are not free, they are slaves, especially if he has to borrow that money to survive. You have the world at you finger tips. Type in "Are Humans Free". That should give you all the arguments you need. Many have different interpretations as to what freedom really means. Now those who have no problem paying for life may have a different opinion than those who are selling their kidneys to eat and their children.

William

[KaseiJin]

Originally Posted by xcvcx

I have an essay that needs to be written on are humans free or are our lives determined for us? . . . I spent an hour reading topics and posts but I don't know what to use.

Hello, and welcome, to the forums. I cannot tell how much research you have done outside of class, and I cannot tell at what educational level you are concerned with, so there is not sure footing on which to start giving advice.

That said, I'd offer the opinion that you'd first have to decided from what field of inquiry you'd like to present your argument. If could be done, for example, from the field of biology or genetics. It could be done from the field of psychology, evolutionary psychology, or neurology. It could be done from the field of physics. Or it could be done from philosophical treatsies on any one of these, I'd guess. At any rate, you'll have to decide from what angle you'd like to come, then do research in that regards.

It also seems that you are using a text, but surely you'll want to use more. I would very strongly suggest going to your friendly neighborhood library and spending a couple of days or so worth of reading and note taking--if you have one nearby enough to do so.

[Poseidon]

The question deconstructs to :

To what extent are humans free?

Often people like to belive they are free, but may be slave to subconscious impulses.
However if this were absolute nobody could be aware of the existence of the subconscious mind.

So we must, at least, be free to explore the subconscious, or else we would be its slave, and not know that it even exists.

[xcvcx]

I've decided to use these three units (Metaphysics, Epistamology, Social & Political Phylosophy) with these three philosophers as my refrenses ( Sartre, Plato, Hobbes) I am pretty sure they are all for Free will and I've gotten some information after reading this past hour and a bit do you have any information on how they would be related?

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by xcvcx

I have an essay that needs to be written on are humans free or are our lives determined for us? We need to use 3 of these units in the essay along with a few philosophers. (Logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and social/political philosophy) to support our arguments. I'm thinking of going for "humans are free" but there is so much information I have no idea where to start. I spent an hour reading topics and posts but I don't know what to use. We can't use our own opinions unless we have a philosopher to back us up or we have some information from the units.

Would anyone be able to direct me towards some information related to say ethics and free will? Maybe 3 arguments that could be used because I am at a complete loss here.


Thanks in advance

John

You might start by thinking about the question, free from what? Why don't you go to Wikipedia and look at the article on freedom of the will? Or free will? Or just Google free will.

[GoshisDead]

I think humans are like lobsters at a seafood joint, they go for market price.

[sarathustrah]

free is an abstract thought. it doesnt exist

like the word "nothing"
there is no such thing as nothing because if it exists it is something. making it unable to be a nothing... yknow?

nothing is ever free. there are rules. there are limits. there are expectations. there are duties and necessities and responsibilities and obligations.

if anything the only thing that might be free is the imagination. or is it a slave of the subconscious after all?... only aimable and not capable of freedom?

i have alot of directions i could go with this but i wont bother...